Three pet dogs were allegedly poisoned to death in Pabna town. The incident took place in the Kadamtala area of Kacharipara.
The owner of the dogs claimed that police refused to register a case when he went to Pabna Sadar Police Station. Police denied the allegation and said the complaint lacked required documents.
According to the written complaint filed at the station, Harunur Rashid of Kadamtala owned three pet dogs — two male and one female. He woke up around 7am on Tuesday to the sound of the animals crying in pain.
Harunur Rashid said he found the three dogs writhing in distress. A local veterinary doctor examined them and told him they had been poisoned. Two dogs died around 8am while undergoing treatment. The third died around 1.30pm.
He filed a complaint on Tuesday night accusing unidentified persons of poisoning the animals. He claimed police refused to record a case.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Dulal Hossain of Pabna Sadar Police Station said “There is no reason to refuse a case. The complaint was incomplete. Once the requirements are met, we will record the case.”
When asked what requirements needed to be fulfilled, the OC said a certified report from an authorised veterinary doctor must confirm the poisoning and must be attached to the complaint.
The OC also mentioned police inspected the scene on Wednesday morning. He noted police are reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible.
Harunur Rashid said the refusal to register the case left him frustrated. “We work with animals. These dogs were part of our family. They came running whenever they saw me. I want justice,” he said.
Animal welfare groups in Pabna condemned the incident. Hasan Mahmud, organisational secretary of Nature and Wildlife Conservation Community, Pabna unit, said people are losing compassion. “Earlier eight puppies were killed, now three more dogs. It is very upsetting and painful,” he said.
He urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible to prevent repeat incidents.
On 30 November last year, police arrested and sent to jail Nishi Khatun, wife of Hasanur Rahman Noyon, an official of the Small Farmer Development Foundation under the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division, after she allegedly drowned eight live puppies in Ishwardi upazila.
